How to Hang Curtains
Curtains are an essential element in homes and bedrooms. This hardworking home accessory provides privacy, blocks harsh sunlight, helps you sleep peacefully, and decorates windows with texture and colour.
Sure, hanging curtains can be tricky, but you can achieve a flawless, perfectly draped look by following our tips, including how high to hang curtains, what curtain length to buy, and how to hang curtain rods.
The correct measurements and hanging technique can make the most of your window frames and complete the room in style. Learn how to hang curtains or drapes the right way with step-by-step instructions.
Measuring Your Windows For Curtain Length & Width for Hanging Curtains
Before hanging curtains, make sure the curtain panels are wide enough to cover your windows. You don’t want to wake up rudely by a sunbeam that curtains aren’t blocking, so measure your window before buying or making a curtain.
- – The total width of your curtain panel should be about twice the width of the window.
- – It is also essential to choose the right length of window curtains. Too small curtains look uncomfortable and visually shorten the space, which makes the ceilings look lower and the room as a whole smaller. Dragging curtains over the flooring may cause them to slide around and collect dust more quickly. For the perfect golden mean, curtains should hang just above the floor.
- – To determine how long your drapery should be, measure from the floor to where you’re putting the rod (usually 4 to 6 inches above the window frame). Otherwise, hanging a curtain rod just below the ceiling is a simple design trick that makes your ceilings look taller. Curtains come in regular lengths such as 63, 84, and 96 inches. Pick the one closest to your measurement, with a few inches of margin for error, rather than go for the shorter one.
- – Lastly, ensure you choose a curtain rod that is wider than your window. This will allow you to move the curtains out from either side of the window, creating the illusion of more space. The curtain rod itself should be 8-12 inches longer than the width of your window, with 4-6 inches added on each side.
How to Hang Curtains (Step by Step Guide)
Once you have curtains just the correct width and length, hang them with this easy two-step process.
What you need:
Curtain rods with brackets
Screws
Roulette
Level
Screwdriver
Pencil
Wall anchors (optional).
Step 1. Measure up Your Windows and Pick Out Curtains Window Treatments
The curtain lengths depend on how high you’ll be hanging a curtain rod and how close to the floor you prefer to position the new curtains.
A rule of thumb is 4 to 6 inches above the window frame. But to make the room seem higher, hang them closer to the ceiling, up to 12 inches above the window frame.
For a neat everyday look, choose a length about 1/2′′ from the floor. For a more luxe swoopy effect, go with curtains 6 to 8 inches longer than the stem length to the floor.
Step 2. Choose a Curtain Rod
It is recommended that the curtain rods be 6 to 12 inches wider than the window so that the curtains will not block your view when they are open. You can only hang one curtain or translucent panels on single curtain rods. Double rods let you hang both a curtain and transparent panels.
Step 3. Decide on how high you can hang the curtain rods
Don’t know where to hang curtain rods?
It is crucial to place the curtain rod in the correct location. Having a curtain rod too close to a window can make the space look smaller than it is. To ensure ideal curtain rod placement, measure the depth of your window cornice to determine the perfect curtain bracket size.
You will need curtain brackets that extend beyond your trim; there’re too small, your curtains won’t hang properly.
Using a pencil and tape measure, mark the desired position for the curtain brackets so that the rod is 4 to 6 inches above the window frame. Make sure the draperies are just touching the floor or floating just slightly above it with a light hand.
For good natural light, curtain rod brackets should be positioned approximately 6 inches back from the outside edge of the window frame.
Step 4: Install The Curtain Rod and Hang The Curtains
Once you’ve decided on the proper placement, hang the curtains. With a screwdriver, install the curtain rod brackets; be sure both sides are even by using a level. If your curtains or curtain rods are extra heavy, you can install wall anchors ($12, The Home Depot) to fasten the brackets to the wall securely.
Position the curtains onto the rod. If your curtains have large grommets or eye-holes, thread a rod through the holes. Otherwise, secure the curtain panels to the rod with curtain rings or clips ($9, Target). Then insert the rod into the brackets to hang the curtains.
FAQ
Where should curtain rods be placed?
To assure an ideal curtain placement, measure the depth of your window cornice to determine the perfect curtain rod size.
Using a pencil and tape measure, mark the desired position for the curtain rods so that the rod is 4 to 6 inches above the window frame, making sure the curtains are only lightly touching the floor or float just above it.
For good natural light, curtain rod brackets should be placed about 6 inches from the outside edge of the window frame.
What is the proper height to hang curtains?
The length of the curtain you choose depends on how high you will hang the curtain rod and how close to the floor you prefer to place the curtains. A good rule of thumb is 4 to 6 inches above the window frame, but to make the room appear taller, hang them closer to the ceiling, up to 12 inches above the window frame. Choose a length half an inch above the floor for a clean everyday look. For a more luxurious puddle effect, choose curtains 6 to 8 inches longer than the stem length to the floor.